Hamakua marsh cleanup planned

A Windward Ahupuaa Alliance cleanup of trash and invasive mangroves in Kailua's Hamakua Marsh is set for Saturday .

Check-in starts at 7:45 a.m.; work will be done 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.. Lunch will be served to workers. Pre-registration is required 247-6366, ext. 1, 224-4496, 223-4481, or info@waa-hawaii.org.

The project also needs shallow draft boats, fishing nets and scoops, and rafts, according to an organization news release.

UH regents approve budgets through 2009

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has approved the university's budget recommendations for the next two fiscal years.

The recommendations include $38.7 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and $58.1 million for its operating budget for the 2009 fiscal year.

The board also approved recommendations for general obligation bond funds to pay for improvement projects totaling $268 million for fiscal year 2008 and $274 million for fiscal year 2009.

The two-year capital improvement budget covers 23 projects including $19 million to address health, safety and code requirements and $35 million to develop a new UH West Oahu campus.

The two-year operating budget covers $10.8 million for work force development programs and $11 million to help underserved regions and populations in the state, including programs for Native Hawaiians.

Health Department, UH get federal grants

Hawaii's Department of Health will get $2.3 million for bioterrorism preparedness and the University of Hawaii will get $2.6 million for medical research and $1.6 million for cancer research, U.S. Sens. Dan Inouye and Dan Akaka announced this week.

The federal assistance to the state's bioterrorism preparedness program will help "in areas such as decontamination, isolation readiness, and surge capacity," Akaka said in a news release.

Inouye called the Health Department grant "a crucial initiative whose goal is to ensure that Hawaii's and the nation's hospitals can respond quickly and rapidly when confronted by a significant health-care threat."

Seized vehicles will be sold at public auction

A 2005 Hummer H2 and a 1931 Ford Model A are among the seized vehicles to be sold at public auction by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The auction will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27 at Aloha Auto Auction, 1001 Ahua St. Other vehicles up for auction include a 2005 Toyota Scion and a 2004 Big Dog Motorcycle.

For more information, call the General Services Administration at 668-4878.

Kauai swimming pool project gets state help

LIHUE » Kauai is the only major island in Hawaii without a community YMCA or an Olympic-sized, 50-meter swimming pool, but that is about to change with the state's release of a $3.2 million grant-in-aid.

Funding for the project also includes a $210,000 community block grant, $800,000 in federal funds and $5.6 million in private contributions, grants and other sources, state officials said last week.

The facility will feature a multipurpose building, wellness center, child-care center, gym and administration building. Construction is to begin by the end of September.

The three community pools on Kauai are only 25 yards long, too short to host high school state swim meets.

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU

Police car windows broken in transport

Police arrested a 37-year-old man yesterday who allegedly kicked out the rear window of a police cruiser that was transporting him to Kailua station for outstanding warrants.

Police said the man was in the back seat when he escaped from the police restraints and kicked out the left window. Then he reached over and smashed in the driver window, police said.

Police arrested him on suspicion of second-degree assault.

HONOLULU

Infant's injuries under investigation

Police are investigating a second-degree assault case against a 28-year-old man after his 19-month-old son suffered second-degree burns to his left shoulder and a fracture of his left thighbone Wednesday night.

The boy was taken to the Kapiolani Medical Center around 7:30 p.m. and treated for the injuries, police reported.